Deepfake CEOs and Fake Lawyers: US Authorities Allege $129M Fraud Scheme Targeting Businesses

The US Justice Department has accused three men, Jacob Soall, Sharon Hazan and Guy Sheetrit, of running a yearslong fraud scheme that allegedly stole at least $129 million from companies. According to court records, they used AI to imitate the voices and images of chief executives and of lawyers at major international law firms. Thousands of victims were allegedly targeted between July 2024 and February 2026. Reported losses include almost $11.6 million at a UK financial technology company, $5.2 million at a pet food company, and several million dollars each at hospital systems, an investment firm and a bank.

Officials said the scheme typically began by targeting accounting staff who had enough authority to approve large wire transfers. An email, sent via an e-signature company, claimed to come from a CEO working on a "confidential financial transaction". The employee was asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement before contacting a supposed attorney. The group allegedly used AI deepfakes of the CEO, then impersonated attorneys at some of the world's 50 largest law firms, to make the transaction look legitimate and push staff to transfer money.

The case shows how fake authority, secrecy and a convincing voice or face can be combined to pressure finance employees. The US attorney for the Southern District of New York said the public should recognise that some people seek to use emerging technology for criminal goals. The allegations have not yet been tested in court.